Recent research challenges the widely held belief that athletes wearing red have a competitive advantage in combat sports.
Initial studies dating back to 2005 suggested a correlation between the color red and higher victory rates in Olympic competitions, especially in closely contested matches.
However, this theory lacked validation across diverse competitive settings.
Reassessment of the Hypothesis
A team of researchers from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Northumbria University, in collaboration with experts from Durham University who first examined the “red advantage,” undertook a comprehensive reassessment of this hypothesis.
Their study analyzed data from sixteen notable international tournaments, involving over 6,500 participants from seven Summer Olympic Games and nine World Boxing Championships occurring between 1996 and 2020.
The results indicated that competitors dressed in red won 50.5% of their matches, showing that the color of their attire had minimal impact on overall performance.
In tightly contested situations where the score difference was narrow, red-wearing athletes achieved victory 51.5% of the time, a statistic that does not reflect any meaningful bias.
Changes Over Time
Interestingly, prior to 2005, there appeared to be a tangible advantage associated with red attire, as those in red secured 56% of victories in close matches during that period.
The researchers propose that the perceived benefit of red has lessened over time due to improvements in scoring technologies and changes in competition regulations.
In their publication in Scientific Reports, a social psychologist from VU Amsterdam noted that shifts in tournament regulations have likely played a role in this decline.
In the past, referees exercised considerable discretion in point allocation, whereas current practices feature technological support and clearer rules, which reduce subjective interpretations and foster a more equitable competitive environment.
Broader Implications
A professor from Northumbria University emphasized the broader implications of their findings, asserting that this synthesis reveals the absence of the so-called red advantage at the elite level in contemporary combat sports.
Furthermore, two professors who were integral to the 2005 study collaborated with the research team to ensure consistency in data collection and analysis.
One professor acknowledged the significant interest surrounding the red advantage since their initial findings, stating that this new study, with its extensive scope, confirms that changes in rules and increased awareness regarding the impact of color have collectively weakened the influence of attire color in combat sports.
Study Details:
- Title: Meta-analysis of the red advantage in combat sports
- Authors: Leonard S. Peperkoorn, Russell A. Hill, Robert A. Barton, Thomas V. Pollet
- Journal: Scientific Reports
- Publication Date: 2024
- DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-81373-3